Choosing the Best Studio Monitors for Your Home Studio (Without Breaking the Bank)

Are you producing music in your bedroom or spare room and wondering which studio monitors to get?

Maybe you’ve been relying on headphones or Bluetooth speakers and feel like something’s missing. Or maybe you bought a pair of monitors, but they don’t quite inspire you—or worse, your mixes don’t translate well outside your room.

If that’s you, keep reading. I've been through five different sets of monitors over the past 20+ years, and in this article, I’ll walk you through:

• What to consider before buying studio monitors

• How to choose the right pair for your space and workflow

• 4 solid tips to get the most out of your current setup

Let’s dive in.

Why You Need Studio Monitors in the First Place

There are two reasons to use studio monitors:

1. Inspiration while producing.
When you’re in the creative zone, you want your monitors to sound good—not flat and boring. You want to enjoy the music while you’re making it.

2. Accuracy while mixing.
Once you move into mixing mode, you want neutral, honest monitors that reveal flaws. They don’t have to sound pretty—they just have to tell the truth.

Not all monitors do both well. Some are great for creating, others for cleaning things up. That’s why some producers use two pairs.

One-Way, Two-Way, or Three-Way?

Most home studio monitors are two-way—with a woofer and a tweeter, and a crossover point between 2000–2500 Hz. Examples include Yamaha HS7s, KRKs, and Genelec’s budget range.

Three-way monitors, like the Neumann KH310s or Focal’s higher-end speakers, split the sound into three bands, offering more precision—but they also cost more and need more space.

Then there are one-way monitors like Auratones. Great for mono checks and mix referencing, not so much for vibing out while producing.

👉 The takeaway: Two-way monitors are the best all-round choice for home studios on a budget.

Should You Add a Subwoofer?

If you want to blast your beats and feel that chest-rattling bass—sure, go for a sub. But be aware:

• Your room needs to be acoustically treated

• Small rooms may do more harm than good with subs

• Ideally, you’d want two subs, and the budget quickly climbs into five figures

For most home setups, I recommend sticking with monitors and using headphones to double-check the low end.

Speaking of which…

My Own Budget-Friendly Monitoring Setup

I mix on Yamaha NS10s (passive), which cost me $500. I bought a second-hand preamp for $300, bringing the total to around $800.

To check the low end, I use Shure SRH1840 open-back headphones. They’re great for detailed listening.

I also do the classic two-fingers-on-the-cone trick—if the cone vibrates inconsistently, there might be phase or bass issues. Big up to UBK for teaching me that one. 

It’s not fancy, but it works.

Front Ported vs. Back Ported Monitors

Bass ports affect how your speakers interact with your room.

• Back-ported monitors (like Yamaha HS series) need space from the wall

• Front-ported monitors (like newer KRKs) are more forgiving in small spaces

• No port? Like NS10s—they don’t reproduce bass well, but they’re very accurate

If you're in a small bedroom studio, go for front-ported models.

DSP, EQ Modes, and Features to Look For

Many modern monitors offer built-in EQ switches or modes (e.g. “producer mode” vs. “mix mode”) to adapt to different tasks or environments.

Some have internal DSP (Digital Signal Processing) to compensate for your room acoustics. The more advanced your speakers, the more of this you’ll see.

Aesthetics Matter More Than You Think

I used to own a pair of KRKs with yellow cones. They sounded great—but my wife hated how they looked in our living room.

So I swapped them for white HS7s, which didn’t sound as good—but blended better with the room.

It may sound silly, but when your space inspires you, your music benefits. And I get reeeeally inspired when I'm in a peaceful home, where everybody is satisfied and happy. 

Learning Your Speakers Is the Real Game-Changer

No matter what speakers you buy, you’ll get used to them.

If you reference your mixes on multiple systems—Bluetooth speakers, AirPods, your car—you’ll start to recognize how your monitors translate. Over time, you’ll rely less on external checks.

Also, don’t forget: your room acoustics matter more than the speakers themselves. The surfaces, the corners, the reflections—those shape your sound just as much, if not more.

4 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Studio Monitors

1. Use Two Pairs
One full-range pair and one small mono speaker (like an Auratone or Avantone) gives you a second perspective.

2. Try SoundID Reference by Sonarworks
This plugin + mic combo measures your room and calibrates your monitors (and headphones) for a flatter response. Game-changer. I use it and love it.

3. Use iZotope Tonal Balance Control
Insert it on your master bus. It gives you a visual target curve based on thousands of professional mixes—or your own references.

4. Use MixChecker
Simulates various playback systems (car, phone, TV, etc.) so you can hear how your mix holds up across the board. It’s part of the LANDR plugin suite.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Stress It—Learn Your Gear

Choosing studio monitors can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.

Get something that sounds decent, looks good in your room, and fits your budget.

Then? Just make music. Reference often. Learn how your setup sounds—and trust your ears.

Here's a list of my favorite studio monitors:

Small room, small budget:

KRK Rokit RP5 G5

Yamaha HS5

Auratone Active Soundcube

Small room, bigger budget:

Neumann KH120

Genelec 8030CP

Focal Solo6

Yamaha NS10 (or the CLA10) with an amplifier, for example the Crown XLi800

Bigger room, small budget:

Yamaha HS7

KRK Rokit RP7 G5

Adam T7V

Also consider a sub for a more pleasuable experience:

Yamaha HS 8S

KRK S8 G4

Adam T10S

Bigger room, bigger budget:

Neumann KH310

Genelec 8040BPM

Focal Twin 6 or Trio 6

Also consider a sub for a more pleasuable experience:

Neumann KH750

Genelec 7350 APM or 7360 APM

Focal Sub 6 Be

Software to enhance your listening accuracy:

Tonal Balance Control 2: https://www.izotope.com/en/products/tonal-balance-control-2.html

Sound ID Reference: https://www.sonarworks.com/soundid-reference

Audified Mixchecker: https://www.landr.com/plugins/audified-mixchecker

What's your favorite speaker? Or which one are you considering? Let me know in a comment below ⤵️